Earlier this year, the U.S. National Intelligence Council shared five scenarios for global development in 2040, and the OECD released three scenarios for global cooperation in 2035. In our top post last month, Steven Gale, Ana Fernandes, Krystel Montpetit, and Alanna Markle take a closer look at the differences and similarities between the two sets of scenarios, notably China’s role, growing fragmentation, increased digitalization, and a gradual breakdown in international cooperation and trade.

Last month’s second top post explores the impact of climate change on farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria. Ojemire B. Daniel discusses the stress climate change puts on land and water resources as herders migrate to southern parts of Nigeria and clash with farmers.

Jessica Hartog continues the theme of climate-conflict connections and examines the impact of climate change on security and the promotion of social stability in the third top post. Not only are there concerns over conflicts related to energy sources, land, forests, and water, but also climate solutions, like a renewable energy transition.

Climate, conflict, and peace were also a feature of our fifth top post as Shruti Samala highlighted a recent Alliance for Peacebuilding event on these connections. With the peacefulness gap growing between countries, social conflict and climate change need to be addressed at a community level, centering on local needs.

To round out our top posts last month, our fourth top post by Adrienne Griffin was a part of an article series on perinatal health. This review of Maternal Mortality Review Committees shows that “suicide and overdose are the leading cause of death for women in the first year following pregnancy,” with 100 percent of these deaths deemed preventable. Together, a lack of access to health insurance coverage and barriers within the healthcare system compound maternal mental health conditions.

Read more:

1. Today’s Top Global Scenarios Share Similarities and Noteworthy Differences, Including Beijing’s Role by Steven Gale, Ana Fernandes, Krystel Montpetit, and Alanna Markle
2. Climate Change and Farmers-Herders Conflict in Nigeria by Ojemire B. Daniel
3. Can COP26 Meet the Climate and Conflict Challenge? by Jessica Hartog
4. Suicide and Overdose: The Leading Causes of Death for New Mothers by Adrienne Griffin
5. Integrating Environmental Protection and Conflict Prevention: Risk, Resilience, and Community Solutions by Shruti Samala